'''Here you will find the newest info on the Oxygen Icon Style Guide.'''

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{{warning|'''The Oxygen Icon Style is currently a work in progress:''' This is the newest version, but several sections need expanding.}}

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''Note that until now this is still a study of work in motion ''

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== Oxygen's Approach to Icon Sizes ==

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Oxygen icons are all scalable vector graphics (SVG) documents, which is the default format used by [http://inkscape.org Inkscape]. These SVG files are used to render bitmap images (PNG) at various sizes.

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=== Templates for different icon sizes ===

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Oxygen uses the 128x128 'pixel' SVG files to produce icons at 5 different sizes: 128x128, 64x64, 48x48, 32x32 and 16x16 pixel images. 88x88 'pixel' SVG files are used to render at 22x22 pixels. Optionally, 16x16 pixel icons can be created in a 64x64 'pixel' SVG file.

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'''For different sizes of icons, different line/stroke widths and different shape ratio's need to be adhered to in order to render the optimum file at a given size.'''

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Although the set it SVG we are creating different SVG files to render certain sizes. Basically, at this time we are using 128x128 templates for all icons down to and including 48x48.

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For icons that are designed to be rendered at 32x32, 22x22 and 16x16 it is crucial that icons elements align to pixel boundaries of the rendered icon to improve legibility. After rendering to 22x22 and 16x16, icons will probably need some hand optimization using the GIMP. There is little point in making a 22x22 and 16x16 PNG icon if all that was done was to export a PNG from the 128 pixel SVG.

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''Note that icons below 48x48 (ie. anything on smaller than 128x128 template) need to have points/lines/strokes which lie directly on a pixel raster/grid.''

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Various templates are provided to assist you in creating Oxygen icons. They are linked to below.

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32x32 icons are being drawn on a 88x88 template. Be sure to make all lines/strokes 4 pixels in width and all shapes a factor of 4. (link needed)

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{{note|Only action icons ''require'' the shadow at the bottom of the icon. For all other types you may remove this shadow.}}

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The smaller sizes at this time are being drawn at the actual size (ie 22x22 and 16x16) although this is not really a rule and will change once we figure it out :p

The Oxygen color palette is released under the [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License].}}

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To use this palette in Inkscape:

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You can easily use the Oxygen Colour scheme in Inkscape by downloading the palette. To download the Oxygen Palette [http://websvn.kde.org/*checkout*/trunk/playground/artwork/Oxygen/utils/oxygen.gpl Click here]

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1) In your .inkscape folder make another folder called palettes.

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2) Put the oxygen.gpl file in that folder.

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3) Restart Inkscape

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4) Select the Oxygen palette in the Swatches dialog (Ctrl+Shift+W).

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The Oxygen color palette is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

Action icons require a distinctive 1 pixel solid outline. Action icons are drawn to appear as they are on a shelf. This means that a small shadow is drawn directly beneath the icon.

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The templates linked above include this shadow, therefore consistancy is ensured.

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=== Applications ===

Application icons vary the most in style from cartoonish logos to photo-realistic (example and explanation needed)

Application icons vary the most in style from cartoonish logos to photo-realistic (example and explanation needed)

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'''Mimetypes'''

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=== Mimetypes ===

Mimetypes all use the same paper sheet template (example and explanation needed)

Mimetypes all use the same paper sheet template (example and explanation needed)

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'''Devices'''

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=== Devices ===

Devices are the most realistic of all icons (example and explanation needed)

Devices are the most realistic of all icons (example and explanation needed)

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'''Filesystems'''

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=== Places ===

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Places icons vary in style depending on whether the subject at hand can be defined by a physical object.

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=== Emblems ===

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Emblems are icons overlaid on top of other icons. Examples of Emblems are the "'link arrow' and the 'mounted star' symbol. These icons should be noticeable but not detract and cover too much of the icon beneath them.

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{{Box|Mounted Emblem|[[Image:Oxygen-128-emblem-mounted.png|center]]

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''The mounted emblem uses the vibrant colours from the Oxygen palette. The form of the icon itself is very simple and clear.''}}

Oxygen icons are all scalable vector graphics (SVG) documents, which is the default format used by Inkscape. These SVG files are used to render bitmap images (PNG) at various sizes.

Oxygen uses the 128x128 'pixel' SVG files to produce icons at 5 different sizes: 128x128, 64x64, 48x48, 32x32 and 16x16 pixel images. 88x88 'pixel' SVG files are used to render at 22x22 pixels. Optionally, 16x16 pixel icons can be created in a 64x64 'pixel' SVG file.

For icons that are designed to be rendered at 32x32, 22x22 and 16x16 it is crucial that icons elements align to pixel boundaries of the rendered icon to improve legibility. After rendering to 22x22 and 16x16, icons will probably need some hand optimization using the GIMP. There is little point in making a 22x22 and 16x16 PNG icon if all that was done was to export a PNG from the 128 pixel SVG.

Various templates are provided to assist you in creating Oxygen icons. They are linked to below.

Note

Only action icons require the shadow at the bottom of the icon. For all other types you may remove this shadow.

Emblems are icons overlaid on top of other icons. Examples of Emblems are the "'link arrow' and the 'mounted star' symbol. These icons should be noticeable but not detract and cover too much of the icon beneath them.

{{{3}}}

The mounted emblem uses the vibrant colours from the Oxygen palette. The form of the icon itself is very simple and clear.